Thanks to an enviable geographic position offering access to both the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is home to a deep and colorful maritime culture. Add to this two sparkling shorelines with unparalleled views, and you’ve got the ideal environment for a memorable boat tour. Check out the best of Virginia Beach by sea with these unique boat tours.
Rudee Tours
Oceanfront
The Rudee Inlet is packed with options to get out and explore the waters of Virginia Beach. For a wide range of boat tours with something to suit every kind of seafarer, Rudee Tours is the perfect point of embarkation. While their Rudee Mariner and Rudee Angler tours are great options for those looking to do some deep-sea fishing, they also offer tours aboard the Rudee Flipper (dolphin watching) and the Rudee Whaler (whale watching,) depending on the season.
Adventure seekers won’t want to miss The Rudee Rocket: a 60-minute thrill ride aboard a giant speedboat. After cruising past the Cape Henry Lighthouse, you’ll officially enter the splash zone — keep an eye out for local wildlife, especially wake-surfing bottlenose dolphins.
Patriotic Excursions
Virginia Beach is a Navy town through and through. Many of the country’s largest bases lie within our borders, and military culture is an important part of the area’s heritage — as well as its present and future. For history buffs, thrillseekers and those who don’t mind getting a bit wet, there’s no better way to learn about our Naval legacy than a tour with Patriotic Excursions.
Climb aboard one of Captain Jay’s RIBS (rigid inflatable boats) — the craft of choice for Navy SEALs — for a journey through military history. As you visit the area’s bases, Captain Jay provides a lively commentary, complete with patriotic music. These boats were made to go 30+ mph in rough seas, so don’t expect a boring (or dry) adventure! What’s more, Jay is also an expert at getting you up close to the Bay’s friendly dolphin pods; the RIBS’ low profile means you’ll practically be nose-to-nose with your newfound friends.
Virginia Aquarium Dolphin and Whale Watching Tours
Hop aboard the Atlantic Explorer for a 90-minute excursion operated by the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center for up-close sightings of the charismatic creatures — as well as sea turtles, brown pelicans, bald eagles and more. Tours run throughout the spring, summer and fall and are staffed by knowledgeable marine educators focusing on research, conservation and responsible viewing practices. During the winter months, these boats shift gears for whale-watching tours, offering the chance to spot majestic humpback and fin whales along the coast.
Pleasure House Oysters Tour
Lynnhaven oysters, once coveted around the world for their size and saltiness, were nearly extinct just 12 years ago. Today, thanks to habitat revitalization efforts — an effort the folks at Pleasure House Oysters helped to spearhead — the river’s oyster population is thriving. On the Pleasure House Oysters Tour, you’ll celebrate this success by learning about the important role oysters play in the river’s ecosystem…and even taste them fresh from the water.
Tour captain and lifelong waterman Chris Ludford wanted to give locals and visitors the opportunity to experience what goes into farming oysters, as well as teach the impact they have on keeping the waterways clean. Ludford’s tours offer an intimate personal history of this unique lifestyle that’s simply not found in history books — and a peek at the pure muscle that brings these legends to life.
Virginia Aquarium Craft Brews Cruise
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center offers one of the easiest ways to enjoy the water: their mellow Craft Brews Cruise. The Aquarium has partnered with many of our favorite local and regional breweries for an unforgettable (and decidedly local) experience.
Launched in 2018, the Craft Brews Cruise is part of the Aquarium’s Sensible Seafood Program partnership, which promotes sustainably sourced seafood. The tour, aboard the aquarium’s Atlantic Explorer, is two hours in length and recurs monthly on the third Friday. Tickets can go quickly, so make sure to secure your spot in advance.
VB Tiki Tours
Taking off from the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp, enjoy this tiki themed cruise which provides a great tour of Broad Bay and the Lynnhaven River Basin, which feeds directly into the Chesapeake Bay. Bring at least 3 friends (or up to a total of 12 people) and enjoy either a mid-day, happy hour, our sunset cruise along Virginia Beach’s waterways.
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- Boat Tours
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- On the Water
- Rudee Inlet
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Written by Staci Amend
As a Californian living in Colorado, writer Staci Amend takes a “why not both” approach to the whole mountains vs. oceans debate. She covers travel, nature, beauty and fashion for a variety of publications and brands — and is happiest when surrounded by hand-painted tile, struggling to pronounce her next meal. A Huntington Beach native and longboarder, she tries to time her Virginia Beach visits with the East Coast Surfing Championships.
